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We say “Welcome Back” to our Pastor and

First Gentleman who were re-assigned to

Wayman Good Hope A.M.E. Church for the

2015-2016 Conference Year! And we give

God special thanks for this Annual Conference

Season, because it is a unique and exciting

time in the life of the Our Denominational

Church when we gather with our Sister

Churches to celebrate that we are yet alive!

And, thus, we praise God for the 84

Churches who gathered at Ebenezer A.M.E.

Church, Ft. Washington, MD for this 65th Ses-

sion of the Washington Annual Conference

which convened at the “call of the Bishop,” The

Right Reverend William Phillips DeVeaux,

April 22-24, 2015. We began our Annual Con-

ference with that very traditional Opening

Hymn that is sung at the Opening Worship

Service of every Annual Conference through-

out our entire Denomination. It’s that Charles

Wesley Hymn set to music in 1770 that de-

clares, “And Are WE Yet Alive, and see each

other’s face? Glory and praise to Jesus give For

His redeeming grace.” And how extraordinar-

ily fitting that our Annual Meeting comes after

our celebration of Easter’s redeeming power.

Annual Conference is a time when we honor

God—a time when we worship together—

thanking God for what God has done and for

how God has seen us

through. It is a time

when we share the

good news of what

God has allowed to

happen in the places

where we have

served; a time when

we give thanks and

acknowledge the

work of Clergy and Laity who have been serv-

ing for these 12 months in the vineyards

where God has planted us.

However, Annual Conference is also a time

when we gather as the larger Connectional

Church at the call of our Bishop, to worship

God; to give an accounting; to say thank you to

those who have served; and to send workers—

ordained ministers and lay ministers—back to

the Local Churches where God has assigned us

to continue the work of ministry and to win

souls for Christ. And, so we praise God for the

84 Churches who gathered at Ebenezer AME

Church and at other venues for Pre-

Conference events which included the YPD/

Youth gathering on Saturday, April 18th at Ebe-

nezer; and the Missionary Day Business Meet-

ing and Luncheon at Martin’s Crosswinds in

Continued on page 2

Wayman Welcomes Back Pastor Poag-Ray

May 2015May 2015May 2015May 2015

News of Good Hope

65th Annual Convention of the Washington Conference Branch

Women’s Missionary Society

The 65th Annual Convention of the Wash-

ington Conference Branch Women’s Mission-

ary Society opened at Martin’s Crosswind in

Greenbelt, Md.

We began our opening with the Tanner

Turner Memorial Service. Our business ses-

sion began with Moments of Meditation from

our former Second Episcopal District Confer-

ence Branch WMS President Katherine Fisher.

Elections were held and Sis. Jeanette Hite was

elected as our new Conference Branch Presi-

dent.

During the luncheon our Episcopal Super-

visor, Dr. Patricia A. Morris DeVeaux, gave an

Empowerment Message. Her message came

from Genesis 18:10-14. Her subject was “But

God”. Dr. DeVeaux stated that nothing is too

hard for God. We need to encourage our Pas-

tors, churches, people and family. We need to

have a relationship with God like David.

Sis. Sylvia Nolan, Sis. Prudence Wood, our

associate member Bro. Roger Nolan and our

Pastor Rev. Dr. Lois A. Poag-Ray were in atten-

dance.

To the Irene D. Williamson Missionary So-

ciety I would like to say thank you for allowing

me to represent you as President for this Con-

ference year.

“To God be the Glory”

Linda JohnsonLinda JohnsonLinda JohnsonLinda Johnson---- PresidentPresidentPresidentPresident

Page 2

The Pastor’s WordThe Pastor’s WordThe Pastor’s WordThe Pastor’s Word (Continued from page 1)

Lanham, MD, and the Missionary Night in White and

Capping Ceremony at Ebenezer. Our Episcopal Super-

visor, Dr. Patricia DeVeaux spoke at the Luncheon; and

the Rev. Wanda London, Pastor of Payne Memorial

A.M.E. Church in Jessup, preached the Missionary Night

Sermon. Those in attendance gave glowing reports

about the success of these events.

The Annual Conference began early Wednesday

morning with an 8:00 a.m. Roll Call for Preachers and

Lay Delegates to the Conference. Pastor Poag-Ray and

our Lay Delegate, Sis. Andrea Darden, were present and

answered the roll with a Bible verse. Also representing

Wayman Good Hope was Alternate Delegate, Sis. Sylvia

Nolan.

The Opening Worship began at 10:00 a.m., with the

procession of the Bishop, Presiding Elders, and some

400 Clergy and Licensed Preachers of the Washington

Conference. The Preacher for the Annual Sermon was

The Rev. Harold Hayes, Pastor of Hunter Memorial

A.M.E. Church, Suitland, MD. His preached an electrify-

ing message from the topic, “Tight Spot Praise.” Follow-

ing the Lunch Break, the Conference Organization Re-

port was presented by our Presiding Elder, The Rev. Dr.

Louis-Charles Harvey of the Capital District; and Presid-

ing Elder Ronald Braxton of the Potomac District. Dur-

ing the organization of the Conference, Pastor Poag-Ray

was elected to serve on the Conference Finance Com-

mittee.

The Board of Examiners reported next, with Rev. Dr.

Lee P. Washington, Chair; and Rev. Dr. Poag-Ray, Dean.

There were 78 students in the Board of Examiners for

the 2014-2015 Conference Year, and one of the stu-

dents completing the Fourth Year Studies was Rev. Ken-

neth Johnson who serves on our Ministerial Staff at

Wayman Good Hope. There were 24 persons who were

elected to be ordained at the Closing Service—nine Itin-

erant Elders, nine Itinerant Deacons, and nine Local

Deacons. Bishop DeVeaux and the Conference thanked

Dr. Washington and Dr. Poag-Ray for their outstanding

work with the Board of Examiners, both of whom were

re-assigned to continue their work with the Board.

Following these Reports, elections were held for

Delegates to the 34th Session of the General Conference

of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Inc. which

will convene in June 2016 in Philadelphia, PA. It is im-

portant to note the significance of this General Confer-

ence because it will mark the 200th Anniversary of the

denomination! (The denomination was incorporated in

1886 in Philadelphia, PA. From the Second Episcopal

District, the Washington Conference Delegation to the

General Conference will consist of 36 Delegates (18

Clergy and 18 Lay), along with 36 Alternate Delegates

(18 Clergy, 18 Lay). Congratulations to Dr. Poag-Ray

who was elected as one of the 18 Clergy Alternate Dele-

gates to the General Conference.

Wednesday Night of Conference was “Men’s Night,”

and the Rev. Donald Smedley, Pastor of Mt. Pisgah in

Columbia, MD preached from the topic, “Time for a

Change.” Following the free-will offering, the Men of

the year from each of the 83 Churches of the Washing-

ton Conference were honored. Congratulations to those

men representing Wayman Good Hope as “Man of the

Year,” Bro. Warner Johnson, and as “Young Man of the

Year,” Bro. Christopher Johnson. They were presented

certificates of recognition from Presiding Elder Harvey

and Bishop DeVeaux. We praise God for the brothers

from Wayman who were there in support of our honor-

ees.

(Continued on page 6)

News of Good Hope - Editorial Staff Editor - Pamela Spearman

This Month’s Contributor(s) Rev. Tonya Anderson (photographs)

Sis. Linda Johnson Sis. Sylvia Nolan

Pastor - Rev. Dr. Lois A. Poag-Ray

How to Get Items Published in the Newsletter

♦ Submissions by Email (attachments) are preferred but not required. ♦ If you have original photographs, we will scan them while you wait- it only takes a

couple of minutes. Please be aware that copies of pictures will not reproduce well and may not be included if too blurry

♦ Because of space limitations, editing of submissions may be required. ♦ Publication of all content is at the discretion of the Editorial Staff. ♦ Email submissions to newsletter@waymangoodhope.org

Bishop DeVeaux & Presiding Elder Harvey present Wayman’s Man of the

Year Award to Bro. Warner Johnson

Page 3

NEWS FROM THE COMMISSION ON HEALTH

Sis. Sylvia Nolan, Chairperson

Page 4

View the “News of Good Hope”

on-line at

www.waymangoodhope.org

click on the “publications” tab

Page 5

PRAYER REQUESTS

Inez Boone James Brown, Jr.

Dorothy Cager Lloyd Carter

Peggy Colbert Rev. Annette Colston

George Darden Ann Coates Day

Willis Day Marion Floyd

Kalanai Harried

Lillie Ann Henson Mediterranean Jackson

Cora Jennings Elroy Johnson, Sr.

Irene Johnson Joseph Lovett

Gary Minniefield Monique Mobray

Sylvia Nolan Roger Nolan

F. Chester Ray Nola Solomon

Whitney Somerville Lorraine Staton John Stepney

Shirley Stepney Alan White

Grace White Shirley White

1st Joe Wallace Jr. 6th Cherry White 8th Shaylah Keemer 10th Tyneka Pack Roberto Brown, Jr.

11th Eleisa Thomas 20th Lillie Henson 21st Clyde Gross Sandy Keemer 23rd Renada Coates 26th Roger Nolan 28th Rev. Tonya Anderson Willis Day

MAY BIRTHDAYS

Bible Study - is Wednesdays at 7pm

Join us as we Journey into Happiness as

we explore the Beatitudes

Special AnnouncementsSpecial AnnouncementsSpecial AnnouncementsSpecial Announcements

Wednesday Morning Prayer Line

6:30 –6:45 am

1-605-475-3235 Access Code 705504#

Dial in & put your phone on mute to listen

The Wayman Good Hope Community Job Center is open

Wednesdays 6:30-8:30pm by appointment. Please confirm attendance by noon Monday

Help is available for those who are: Unemployed, Looking for a Career Change, Want Career Training/Certification,

Seeking Help with Resume Writing, Seeking Help with Interviewing Skills.

Check the Calendar for other scheduled meetings

The Transportation Ministry is available to get mem-

bers to and from church. Call the Church Office by

the close of business on Thursdays by 1:00pm to

schedule your ride.

Join us for

The Women’s Fellowship

Friday, May 8th at 7pm

All women are invited!

CHURCH CONFERENCE/OFFICIAL BOARD MTG

ELECTION OF TRUSTEES

Thursday, May 21

All members please attend

Usher’s Anniversary

Sunday, May 24th at 4pm

Page 6

Thursday Morning began bright and early at 8:30

a.m. with the Annual Conference Institute, convened by

Dr. Poag-Ray who serves as Dean of the Conference In-

stitute. The Presenter for this one-hour session was Dr.

F. Douglass Powe, Jr., Professor of Urban Ministry at

Wesley Theological Seminary. His topic was “A New

Day, A New Way: Church Revitalization.” A prolific

writer and researcher, his presentation addressed the

scriptural basis for Church revitalization; generational

categories and the impact of their unique mind-sets on

Church life; and, ways for “re-thinking Church.” Dr.

Powe’s recent books are New Wine New Wineskins:

How African American Congregations Can Reach New

Generations; and his latest book, which is titled, X-Not

Safe for Church: Ten Commandments for Reaching New

Generations.

The Women in Ministry Noon Day Worship was an

exciting, inspirational, celebratory, soul-stirring wor-

ship experience with the Rev. Dr. Marie Braxton

preaching powerfully from the topic, “The Joy of Wis-

dom.” Clergy and laity alike were moved to recommit

to more meaningful work in the Church as children of

God, and co-heirs with Christ Jesus.

Thursday afternoon’s Business Session opened

with Pastors’ Reports beginning with the Finances

Committee Members. Standing with Pastor Poag-Ray

as she gave the Report for the People of Wayman Good

Hope were First Gentleman Bro. F. Chester Ray, Dele-

gate Sis. Darden, Alternate Delegate Sis. Nolan, Rev.

Tonya Anderson, Sis. Linda Johnson, Bro. Roger Nolan,

and Bro Sherman Watts. Pastor and Sis. Darden pre-

sented highlights for the Conference Year, and Pastor

offered thanks for the opportunity to serve. Lay Night

Worship was noteworthy, with the President of the

NAACP, the Rev. Cordell Brooks, bringing the Message

for the Lay.

On Friday, Pastor Reports continued, from the Poto-

mac District and then from the Capital District. Liter-

ary Reports were followed by the disciplinary reports.

Copies of those reports are available in the Church Of-

fice, and some of the information from the Christian

Education, Social Action, and Committees will be

shared at a later date. The business of the Annual Con-

ference concluded with provision for the Capital Dis-

trict Churches to entertain the 2016 Annual Conference

convening at Reid Temple A.M.E. Church in Glendale,

MD.

A Service of Memorials and Retirement was held at

noon, as the Conference acknowledged the work of An-

nual Conference members who had died during the

2014-2015 Year, and honored the service of those who

were retiring from active pastoral ministry. This year,

we celebrated the outstanding work of Rev. Patrick

Hipkins who retired from Davis Memorial A.M.E.

Church in Baltimore.

Throughout the Conference, visitors from other Dis-

tricts and other Conferences in the Second Episcopal

District were recognized. Of note were the numerous

candidates for Episcopal Service who were in atten-

dance. Of significance was the presence of the other

candidate from the SED, the Rev. Dr. Frank Madison

Reid, III, Pastor of Bethel, Baltimore. It is interesting to

note that Dr. Reid’s father and grandfather were both

Bishops in the A.M.E. Church. However, the Washing-

ton Conference was bold in our support of our own

candidate, The Rev. Dr. Harry L. Seawright, Pastor of

Union Bethel Brandywine. The Conference voted that

we would “go on record” as supporting the candidacy

of Dr. Seawright and working for his election in 2016 as

a Bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church!

This exciting and enjoyable Annual Conference

closed with a powerful sermon preached by retired

Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Phillip R. Cousin, who preached

from selected verses in Genesis and Exodus, “Don’t For-

get the Bones.” It was an inspiring and encouraging

message not only for the 24 men and women who were

ordained, but also for the workers—both clergy and

lay—who would be assigned to continue the work of

the Church for the 2015-2016 Conference Year. With

the singing of the Commissioning Hymn, “A Charge to

Keep I Have,” Pastors and Lay were presented certifi-

cates for the ongoing work of the Conference. And

with the singing of the traditional hymn, “Go Preach My

Gospel, Saith The Lord,” Pastors were assigned to the

Churches of the Washington Conference.

Thus, we welcome the Rev. Dr. Lois A. Poag-Ray as

our Pastor for the 2015-2016 Conference Year, and her

husband, Bro F. Chester Ray as our First Gentleman.

We also welcome back the Rev. Dr. Louis-Charles Har-

vey as Presiding Elder of the Capital District, and Mrs.

Michelle Harvey as the First Lady of the Capital District.

We pray that we will all work together for the good of

God’s Church and the building of God’s kingdom in this

part of the vineyard!

Love, Joy, Peace,

Pastor Poag-Ray

The Pastor’s WordThe Pastor’s WordThe Pastor’s WordThe Pastor’s Word (Continued from page 2)

Page 7

RRRREFLECTIONSEFLECTIONSEFLECTIONSEFLECTIONS

Your House Is a Lifeboat by Robert and Bobbie Wolgemuth, Couples of the Bible

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. — Joshua 24:15 For many years, Noah and his wife refused to buckle under the temptations of wickedness all around them. In fact, outside their imme-diate family, they did not have one friend who believed in God or was living a righteous life. Can you imagine what it must have been like to be so alone? The town — and the neighborhood — where Noah and his wife lived was soaking in sinfulness. According to the Bible, the world of their day was literally “full” of immorality. So reprehensible was the behavior of these people that God regretted having created them in the first place and decided to wash the slate clean. But on His way to starting over, God bumped into a faithful man named Noah, his wife, and their three sons and their wives. From the time their sons were small, Noah and his wife surely included them in conversations about God. They must have prayed together and spoken of the majesty of God’s creation. Deep inside this story is something very special. Noah and his wife opened their home to lost people. We know this because the women their sons married were counted among the righteous who came aboard the ark. This means that even though they came from homes where God was not worshiped, these women's lives were changed by the influence of a believing family that welcomed them and loved them. For Noah and his wife, the choice was clear. In spite of temptations to conform to the culture around them, they — and their family — chose to serve the Lord. You and your family can do the same. It may not look like it, but your house is a lifeboat. Your storm-tossed friends and your children’s confused playmates need shelter. They need safety, instruction, and a display of love from a family that knows and worships the true God. Your family may be their only hope. A safe little boat the shape of your house is floating in your neighborhood.

Our great and wonderful God, empower us to live lives that please You. Help us to be winsome messengers of Your Word and to show others the love of Jesus. Use us to lead people to Christ. Amen.

Monday night I was overcome with sadness as I watched the rioting in Baltimore—Sadness for the lives lost due to

violence by police and otherwise, sadness for the conditions that exist that drive people to extreme measures not only in

Baltimore but around the world, and sadness for the divisions that exist and have existed since sin entered the world.

As I read reactions to the unfolding events on my Facebook page, I felt like I needed to contribute to the discussion but

was at a loss as to what I could say that summed up my feelings. In the end, all I wrote on my status was “Praying”.

After praying, the scripture that came to my mind was 2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV) “If my people, which are called by

my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from

heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Throughout the week, regardless of what perspective people were coming from, the one theme that seemed to

permeate was “why would people destroy their own neighborhood—they are only hurting themselves”. When we look

at the bigger picture, why does someone strap a bomb to themselves and kill innocent people? We ask ourselves

“why” to so many actions that seem senseless. We listen to the “experts and activists” that are eager to give their take

on situations. They have opinions but not real answers. With so many problems in our cities, in our Country, in our

world, it is easy to become hopeless — in fact, hopelessness is what some experts say cause people to commit these

senseless acts.

I choose not to be hopeless– my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. I have no control

over what other people are doing, so I choose to look inward—and I challenge you to do the same. We should ask

ourselves what behaviors are we doing to ourselves that are hurting us? Are we overeating, overspending, talking

negatively, having bad attitudes, abusing drugs or alcohol, engaging in irresponsible sexual behavior, etc? And as a

Church body, what behaviors are we doing that are hurting our Church?

If we look inward, I think we will find, “it’s me, it’s me, it’s me O’ Lord, standing in the need of prayer”— not to

ask God for things—but to ask God to humble us, and turn us from our wicked ways so that we will seek His face and

our sins will be forgiven, and our land will be healed. The Editor

BBBBEYONDEYONDEYONDEYOND BBBBALTIMOREALTIMOREALTIMOREALTIMORE

Page 8

WAYMAN GOOD HOPE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH Rev. Dr. Lois A. Poag-Ray, Pastor

100 Hoyle Lane Severna Park, MD 21146

MINISTERIAL STAFF Rev. Dr. Lois A. Poag-Ray, Pastor

Rev. Tonya Anderson, Director of Christian Education Rev. Kenneth Johnson Director Youth & Young Adult Ministries

Pastor’s Office Hours See the weekly bulletin or call the office for an appointment

CHURCH OFFICE STAFF Sis. Sharon Cager-Best, Administrative Assistant

Sis. Sandra Dixon, Financial Officer

Church Office Hours Mon. - Thurs. 10am – 2pm

Church phone (410)647-4867 Church fax (410)647-4883 Email – waymangoodhope@aol.com Website – waymangoodhope.org

“To all who struggle and desire victory; to all who sin and need forgiveness; to all who are anxious and need peace; to all who

mourn and long for comfort; to all who are sensitive and look for service; to all who hunger and thirst after righteousness;

to whomsoever will – this Church opens wide its doors and bids you welcome in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord!”

“Enter this Church, therefore, not as a stranger, but as the guest of God. Come then into God’s presence with joy in your

hearts and thanks on your lips, offering God your love and service. Beseech God’s blessing on those who minister and worship

here, and may that blessing rest on you forever.”

WAYMAN GOOD HOPE CHURCH SCHEDULE: SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES

MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE 10 AM

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION Every 1st Sunday

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Every 3rd Sunday

CHURCH SCHOOL & BIBLE STUDY

CHURCH SCHOOL (Children & Youth) Tuesday 6:15-7:15 PM

CHURCH SCHOOL (Adults) Sunday 9:00-9:50 AM

PRAYER CALL (Dial 605-475-3235 code 705504#) Wednesday 6:30-6:45 AM

BIBLE STUDY (Adults) Wednesday 7:00 PM

MONTHLY

LOVE FEAST Wednesday before the 1st Sunday at 6:30 PM

OFFICIAL BOARD 3rd Thursday 7:00 PM

Refer to the Calendar for other regularly scheduled meetings & rehearsals.